CHAPTER 11 STORM DRAINAGE

User note:
About this chapter: Rainfall onto buildings must be removed and directed to a location that can
accommodate storm water. Chapter 11 specifies the design rainfall event for the geographic
area and provides sizing methods for piping and gutter systems to convey the storm water away
from the building. Included in this chapter are regulations for piping materials and subsoil
drainage systems.

SECTION 1101

GENERAL
1101.1 Scope.
The provisions of this chapter shall govern the materials, design, construction and installation of
storm drainage.
1101.2 Disposal.
Rainwater from roofs and storm water from paved areas, yards, courts and courtyards shall drain
to an approved place of disposal. For one- and two-family dwellings, and where approved, storm
water is permitted to discharge onto flat areas, such as streets or lawns, provided that the storm
water flows away from the building.
1101.3 Prohibited drainage.
Storm water shall not be drained into sewers intended for sewage only.
1101.4 Tests.
The conductors and the building storm drain shall be tested in accordance with Section 312.
1101.5 Change in size.
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The size of a drainage pipe shall not be reduced in the direction of flow.
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1101.6 Fittings and connections.

Connections and changes in direction of the storm drainage system shall be made
with approved drainage-type fittings in accordance with Table 706.3. The fittings shall not
obstruct or retard flow in the system.
[BS] 1101.7 Roof design.
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Roofs shall be designed for the maximum possible depth of water that will pond thereon as
determined by the relative levels of roof deck and overflow weirs, scuppers, edges or serviceable
drains in combination with the deflected structural elements. In determining the maximum
possible depth of water, all primary roof drainage means shall be assumed to be blocked. The
maximum possible depth of water on the roof shall include the height of the water required
above the inlet of the secondary roof drainage means to achieve the required flow rate of the
secondary drainage means to accommodate the design rainfall rate as required by Section 1106.
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1101.8 Cleanouts required.

Cleanouts shall be installed in the storm drainage system and shall comply with the provisions of
this code for sanitary drainage pipe cleanouts.
Exception: Subsurface drainage system.
1101.9 Backwater valves.
Storm drainage systems shall be provided with backwater valves as required for sanitary
drainage systems in accordance with Section 714.
SECTION 1102
MATERIALS
1102.1 General.
The materials and methods utilized for the construction and installation of storm drainage
systems shall comply with this section and the applicable provisions of Chapter 7.
1102.2 Inside storm drainage conductors.
Inside storm drainage conductors installed above ground shall conform to one of the standards
listed in Table 702.1.
1102.3 Underground building storm drain pipe.
Underground building storm drain pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table
702.2.
1102.4 Building storm sewer pipe.
Building storm sewer pipe shall conform to one of the standards listed in Table 1102.4.
 TABLE 1102.4
BUILDIG STORM SEWER PIPE
MATERIAL STANDARD

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic

pipe in IPS diameters, including Schedule 40, ASTM D2661; ASTM F628; ASTM F1488; CSA
DR 22 (PS 200) and DR 24 (PS 140); with a B181.1; CSA B182.1
solid, cellular core or composite wall

Cast-iron pipe ASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301

Concrete pipe ASTM C14; ASTM C76; CSA A257.1; CSA A257.2

Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, L, M

ASTM B75; ASTM B88; ASTM B251; ASTM B306
or DWV)

ASTM F667; ASTM F2306/F2306M; ASTM

Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe
F2648/F2648M

Polypropylene (PP) pipe ASTM F2881; CSA B182.13

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe (Type

DWV, SDR26, SDR35, SDR41, PS50 or
ASTM D2665; ASTM D3034; ASTM F891; ASTM
PS100) in IPS diameters, including Schedule
F1488; CSA B181.2; CSA B182.2; CSA B182.4
40, DR 22 (PS 200) and DR 24 (PS 140);
with a solid, cellular core or composite wall

Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316L ASME A112.3.1

Vitrified clay pipe ASTM C4; ASTM C700

1102.5 Subsoil drain pipe.

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 Subsoil drains shall be open-jointed, horizontally split or perforated pipe conforming to one of
the standards listed in Table 1102.5.
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TABLE 1102.5
SUBSOIL DRAIN PIPE

MATERIAL STANDARD

Cast-iron pipe ASTM A74; ASTM A888; CISPI 301

ASTM F405; ASTM F667; CSA B182.1; CSA

Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe
B182.6; CSA B182.8

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe (type ASTM D2729; ASTM D3034; ASTM F891; CSA
sewer pipe, SDR35, PS25, PS50 or PS100) B182.2; CSA B182.4

Stainless steel drainage systems, Type

ASME A112.3.1
316L

Vitrified clay pipe ASTM C4; ASTM C700

1102.6 Roof drains.

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Roof drains shall conform to ASME 112.3.1 or ASME A112.6.4. Roof drains, other than
siphonic roof drains, shall be tested and rated in accordance with ASME ASME A112.6.4
or ASPE/IAPMO Z1034.
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1102.7 Fittings.
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Pipe fittings shall be approved for installation with the piping material installed, and shall
conform to the respective pipe standards or one of the standards listed in Table 1102.7. The
fittings shall not have ledges, shoulders or reductions capable of retarding or obstructing flow in
the piping. Threaded drainage pipe fittings shall be of the recessed drainage type.
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TABLE 1102.7
PIPE FITTINGS
MATERIAL STANDARD
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic ASTM D2661; ASTM D3311; CSA B181.1
ASME B16.4; ASME B16.12; ASTM A74; ASTM
Cast iron
A888; CISPI 301
Coextruded composite ABS and drain DR-PS in PS35,
ASTM D2751
PS50, PS100, PS140, PS200
Coextruded composite ABS DWV Schedule 40 IPS
ASTM D2661; ASTM D3311; ASTM F628
pipe (solid or cellular core)
Coextruded composite PVC DWV Schedule 40 IPS-
ASTM D2665; ASTM D3311; ASTM F891
DR, PS140, PS200 (solid or cellular core)
Coextruded composite PVC sewer and drain DR-PS in
ASTM D3034
PS35, PS50, PS100, PS140, PS200
ASME B16.15; ASME B16.18; ASME
Copper or copper alloy B16.22; ASME B16.23; ASME B16.26; ASME
B16.29
Gray iron and ductile iron AWWA C110/A21.10
Malleable iron ASME B16.3
Plastic, general ASTM F409
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe ASTM F2306/F2306M
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic ASTM D2665; ASTM D3311; ASTM F1866
Stainless steel drainage systems, Type 316L ASME A112.3.1
Steel ASME B16.9; ASME B16.11; ASME B16.28

SECTION 1103
TRAPS
1103.1 Main trap.
Leaders and storm drains connected to a combined sewer shall be trapped. Individual storm
water traps shall be installed on the storm water drain branch serving each conductor, or a single
trap shall be installed in the main storm drain just before its connection with the
combined building sewer or the public sewer. Leaders and storm drains connected to a building
storm sewer shall not be required to be trapped.
1103.2 Material.
Storm water traps shall be of the same material as the piping system to which they are attached.
1103.3 Size.
Traps for individual conductors shall be the same size as the horizontal drain to which they are
connected.
1103.4 Cleanout.
A cleanout shall be installed on the building side of the trap and shall be provided with access.
SECTION 1104
CONDUCTORS AND CONNECTIONS
1104.1 Prohibited use.
Conductor pipes shall not be used as soil, waste or vent pipes, and soil, waste or vent pipes shall
not be used as conductors.
1104.2 Floor drains.
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Floor drains shall not be connected to a storm drain.
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SECTION 1105
ROOF DRAINS
1105.1 General.
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Roof drains shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The inside
opening for the roof drain shall not be obstructed by the roofing membrane material.
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1105.2 Roof drain flow rate.

The published roof drain flow rate, based on the head of water above the roof drain, shall be used
to size the storm drainage system in accordance with Section 1106. The flow rate used for sizing
the storm drainage piping shall be based on the maximum anticipated ponding at the roof drain.
SECTION 1106
SIZE OF CONDUCTORS, LEADERS AND STORM DRAINS
1106.1 General.
The size of the vertical conductors and leaders, building storm drains, building storm sewers and
any horizontal branches of such drains or sewers shall be based on the 100-year hourly rainfall
rate indicated in Figures 1106.1(1) through 1106.1(5) or on other rainfall rates determined
from approved local weather data.

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1(1)
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) WESTERN UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1(2)
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) CENTRAL UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1(3)
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) EASTERN UNITED STATES
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Washington D.C.
FIGURE 1106.1(4)
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) ALASKA
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.Source: National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, Washington D.C.
 FIGURE 1106.1(5)
100-YEAR, 1-HOUR RAINFALL (INCHES) HAWAII
1106.2 Size of storm drain piping.
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Vertical and horizontal storm drain piping shall be sized based on the flow rate through the roof
drain. The flow rate, as calculated in accordance with Section 1106.2.1, shall be checked against
the roof drain manufacturer's published flow rate for the specific roof drain model and size to
verify that the selected roof drain will handle the anticipated flow. The flow rate in storm
drain piping shall not exceed that specified in Table 1106.2.

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TABLE 1106.2
CAPACITY (gpm)

PIPE SIZE (inches) SLOPE OF HORIZONTAL DRAIN

VERTICAL DRAIN
1/16 inch per foot 1/ 8 inch per foot 1/ 4 inch per foot 1/ 2 inch per foot

2 34 15 22 31 44
3 87 39 55 79 111
4 180 81 115 163 231
5 311 117 165 234 331
6 538 243 344 487 689
8 1,117 505 714 1,010 1,429
10 2,050 927 1,311 1,855 2,623
12 3,272 1,480 2,093 2,960 4,187
15 5,543 2,508 3,546 5,016 7,093

STORM DRAIN PIPE SIZING

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.
1106.2.1 Rainfall rate conversion method.
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The rainfall rate falling on a roof surface shall be converted to a gallon per minute (L/m) flow
rate in accordance with Equation 11-1.

(Equation 11-1)
where:
R = Rainfall intensity in inches (mm) per hour.
A = Roof area in square feet (m2).
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1106.3 Vertical leader sizing.

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Vertical leaders shall be sized based on the flow rate from horizontal gutters or the maximum
flow rate through roof drains. The flow rate through vertical leaders shall not exceed that
specified in Table 1106.3.
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TABLE 1106.3 VERTICAL LEADER SIZING

SIZE OF LEADER (inches) CAPACITY (gpm)

2 30

2×2 30

11/2 × 21/2 30

21/2 54

21/2 × 21/2 54

3 92

2×4 92

21/2 × 3 92

4 192

3 × 41/4 192

31/2 × 4 192

5 360

4×5 360

41/2 × 41/2 360

6 563

5×6 563
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m.

1106.4 Vertical walls.

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In sizing roof drains and storm drainage piping, one-half of the area of any vertical wall that
diverts rainwater to the roof shall be added to the projected roof area for inclusion in calculating
the required size of vertical conductors, leaders and horizontal storm drainage piping.
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1106.5 Parapet wall scuppers.

Where scuppers are used for primary roof drainage or for secondary (emergency overflow) roof
drainage or both, the quantity, size, location and inlet elevation of the scuppers shall be chosen to
prevent the depth of ponding water on the roof from exceeding the maximum water depth that
the roof was designed for as determined by Section 1611.1 of the International Building Code.
Scupper openings shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height and have a width that is
equal to or greater than the circumference of a roof drain sized for the same roof area. The flow
through the primary system shall not be considered when locating and sizing secondary scuppers.
1106.6 Size of roof gutters.
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Horizontal gutters shall be sized based on the flow rate from the roof surface. The flow rate in
horizontal gutters shall not exceed that specified in Table 1106.6.
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TABLE 1106.6
GUTTER DIMENSIONSa (inches) SLOPE (inch per foot) CAPACITY (gpm)

11/2 × 21/2 1/4 26

11/2 × 21/2 1/2 40

4 1/8 39

21/4 × 3 1/4 55

21/4 × 3 1/2 87

5 1/8 74

4 × 21/2 1/4 106

3 × 31/2 1/2 156

6 1/8 110

3×5 1/4 157

3×5 1/2 225

8 1/16 172

8 1/8 247

41/2 × 6 1/4 348

41/2 × 6 1/2 494

10 1/16 331

10 1/8 472

5×8 1/4 651

4 × 10 1/2 1055
 HORIZONTAL GUTTER SIZING

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon per minute = 3.785 L/m, 1 inch per foot = 83.3 mm/m.
1. a.Dimensions are width by depth for rectangular shapes. Single dimensions are diameters of a semicircle.

SECTION 1107
SIPHONIC ROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
1107.1 General.
Siphonic roof drains and drainage systems shall be designed in accordance with ASME
A112.6.9 and ASPE 45.
SECTION 1108
SECONDARY (EMERGENCY) ROOF DRAINS
1108.1 Secondary (emergency overflow) drains or scuppers.
Where roof drains are required, secondary (emergency overflow) roof drains or scuppers shall be
provided where the roof perimeter construction extends above the roof in such a manner that
water will be entrapped if the primary drains allow buildup for any reason. Where primary and
secondary roof drains are manufactured as a single assembly, the inlet and outlet for each drain
shall be independent.
1108.2 Separate systems required.
Secondary roof drain systems shall have the end point of discharge separate from the primary
system. Discharge shall be above grade, in a location that would normally be observed by the
building occupants or maintenance personnel.
1108.3 Sizing of secondary drains.
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Secondary (emergency) roof drain systems shall be sized in accordance with Section 1106 based
on the rainfall rate for which the primary system is sized. Scuppers shall be sized to prevent the
depth of ponding water from exceeding that for which the roof was designed as determined
by Section 1101.7. Scuppers shall have an opening dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm)
in height and have an opening width equal to the circumference of the roof drain required for the
area served. The flow through the primary system shall not be considered when sizing the
secondary roof drain system.
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SECTION 1109
COMBINED SANITARY AND STORM PUBLIC SEWER
1109.1 General.
Where the public sewer is a combined system for both sanitary and storm water, the storm
sewer shall be connected independently to the public sewer.
SECTION 1110
CONTROLLED FLOW ROOF DRAIN SYSTEMS
1110.1 General.
The roof of a structure shall be designed for the storage of water where the storm drainage
system is engineered for controlled flow. The controlled flow roof drain system shall be an
engineered system in accordance with this section and the design, submittal, approval, inspection
and testing requirements of Section 316.1. The controlled flow system shall be designed based
on the required rainfall rate in accordance with Section 1106.1.
1110.2 Control devices.
The control devices shall be installed so that the rate of discharge of water per minute shall not
exceed the values for continuous flow as indicated in Section 1110.1.
1110.3 Installation.
Runoff control shall be by control devices. Control devices shall be protected by strainers.
1110.4 Minimum number of roof drains.
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Not less than two roof drains shall be installed in roof areas 10,000 square feet (929 m 2) or less
and not less than four roof drains shall be installed in roofs over 10,000 square feet (929 m 2) in
area.
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SECTION 1111
SUBSOIL DRAINS
1111.1 Subsoil drains.
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Subsoil drains shall be open-jointed, horizontally split or perforated pipe conforming to one of
the standards listed in Table 1102.5. Such drains shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in
diameter. Where the building is subject to backwater, the subsoil drain shall be protected by an
accessibly located backwater valve. Subsoil drains shall discharge to a trapped area drain, sump,
dry well or approved location above ground. The subsoil sump shall not be required to have
either a gastight cover or a vent. The sump and pumping system shall comply with Section
1113.1.
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SECTION 1112
BUILDING SUBDRAINS
1112.1 Building subdrains.
Building subdrains located below the public sewer level shall discharge into a sump or receiving
tank, the contents of which shall be automatically lifted and discharged into the drainage system
as required for building sumps. The sump and pumping equipment shall comply with Section
1113.1.
SECTION 1113
SUMPS AND PUMPING SYSTEMS
1113.1 Pumping system.
The sump pump, pit and discharge piping shall conform to Sections 1113.1.1 through 1113.1.4.
1113.1.1 Pump capacity and head.
The sump pump shall be of a capacity and head appropriate to anticipated use requirements.
1113.1.2 Sump pit.
The sump pit shall be not less than 18 inches (457 mm) in diameter and not less than 24 inches
(610 mm) in depth, unless otherwise approved. The pit shall be provided with access and shall
be located such that all drainage flows into the pit by gravity. The sump pit shall be constructed
of tile, steel, plastic, cast iron, concrete or other approved material, with a removable cover
adequate to support anticipated loads in the area of use. The pit floor shall be solid and provide
permanent support for the pump.
1113.1.3 Electrical.
Electrical service outlets, where required, shall meet the requirements of NFPA 70.
1113.1.4 Piping.
Discharge piping shall meet the requirements of Section 1102.2, 1102.3 or 1102.4 and shall
include a gate valve and a full flow check valve. Pipe and fittings shall be the same size as, or
larger than, the pump discharge tapping.
Exception: In one- and two-family dwellings, only a check valve shall be required, located on
the discharge piping from the pump or ejector.